Video: Lukashenko and Pashinyan Clash at EAEU Meeting

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, had a heated exchange at the EAEU meeting. Pashinyan stated that Armenia's delegation would participate remotely in the upcoming EAEU summit in Minsk.

Lukashenko inquired about the reasons behind this decision and offered assistance with travel arrangements. Pashinyan responded that he had previously communicated his decision, to which Lukashenko replied, "We will consider your application." Pashinyan countered, "You cannot consider it, as it is not subject to consideration." Lukashenko remarked that there may not be a 'television' for online speeches at the summit in Minsk.

Previously, on June 13, 2024, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that no official representatives from Armenia would visit Belarus as long as Alexander Lukashenko remained president. "One of the CSTO leaders has stated that he participated in the preparations for the 44-day war, encouraged, believed in, and wished for Azerbaijan's victory. After that, should I sit with the President of Belarus in the CSTO format to discuss any issues?" Pashinyan said.

However, he noted that he might be compelled to engage in some capacity within the EAEU and CIS frameworks. "I state that I will never visit Belarus while Alexander Lukashenko is president. I declare that currently no official representative of Armenia will visit Belarus at all," the Prime Minister emphasized.